Henry Etheridge

Henry Etheridge is an award-winning breast cancer survivor, philanthropist and activist who has inspired many through her music and made significant donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital.

Henry was recorded living near Wine Street with his wife Sophia (b1791 Odcombe – 1854), two sons, and his three-month old baby daughter Sophia. This would later become Medical Hall.

Early Life and Education

Henry Etheridge was born in Georgetown, South Carolina and attended Winyah High School before serving two years with the United States Army. Additionally, Henry became a father to four children and joined St Jude Children’s Hospital’s board of trustees.

Early years had a tremendous effect on his professional life, wherein he took up clerking duties for a congressional committee. As such, he opposed President Abraham Lincoln’s decision to make emancipation the main war goal and participated in unsuccessful plots to invalidate Southern Unionist congressmen credentials.

Henry was also an accomplished poet, writing many short stories and novels in addition to being a well-known public speaker and advocate for civil rights.

Professional Career

Etheridge practiced medicine until 1880, when he retired to become an advocate for gynecology. His papers consist of lectures he delivered as well as journal articles written for publication; casebooks and ledgers from his private practice; conference ephemera from professional conferences attended; his papers include casebook ledgers.

As soon as the Civil War ended, he quickly emerged as one of Tennessee’s foremost Conservative Unionists and was outspoken against Radical Reconstruction. He ran for governor but lost to William G. Brownlow; two years later however he was elected as state senator for Henry Obion Weakley counties.

His legacy continues in Memphis through his wife Mary; children Michael Etheridge, Fred Zauner and Debbie Feaster; grandchildren Brant Armstrong (Branton Chad Christopher Armstrong); one sister as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Achievement and Honors

Etheridge excelled as an outstanding football player during high school. He helped lead his team to an 8-1 record and Prep League championship his senior year, while running indoor and outdoor track. Furthermore, Etheridge was active with Lawton Street Baptist Church where he often volunteered his services.

Etheridge rose to prominence during Reconstruction after the Civil War as one of Tennessee’s leading Conservative Unionists opposing Governor William G. Brownlow’s radical Republican administration and campaigning against its policies such as restoration of voting rights for former Confederates majority voters. He ran for governor himself as an Independent in 1867 but lost by only five votes against Brownlow’s Radical Republican administration and its Radical Republican ideology.

This collection includes letters to and from Etheridge, financial case records and payment ledgers, medical case notes, talks, published articles and related ephemera including Rush Medical College ephemera as well as diplomas and certificates awarded to Etheridge by her father.

Personal Life

Henry Etheridge was born in Currituck County, North Carolina. After studying law he established his practice in Dresden West Tennessee where he also became active in Whig politics; serving in the state legislature from 1845-1847.

In 1867 he ran for governor on behalf of the Conservative Unionist party and campaigned against Radical Reconstruction while supporting restoration of voting rights to ex-Confederates. Although unsuccessful, his campaign helped spark the movement that ended Reconstruction. From 1869 until 1871 he served in the state senate.

He was an opponent of slavery. His anger over President Lincoln’s decision to make emancipation an official war aim caused him to split from the Republican party, and he attempted to give control of Congress over to a coalition composed of Democrats and border state Unionists instead.

Net Worth

Henry Etheridge amassed an estimated net worth of around $1.5 million over his long and distinguished career as an active politician, businessperson and attorney. Known as an influential member of the Republican Party and holding several high-level state positions he also ran his own private practice as partner in an existing firm.

He also founded a charity known as the Henry Etheridge Foundation which aids those with both mental and physical disabilities, providing assistance to many families and children in need.

He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The State University of Georgia. An avid golfer himself, he supports this sport through various charities. His dedication and determination has allowed him to achieve great success through hard work.